Study of the nutrient contribution of cave bat colonies to surface ecosystems

We investigated the contribution of cave-roosting bats to nutrient input into aquatic ecosystems in caves with underground streams in Costa Rica, Bulgaria and Borneo. Our results showed that the water exiting caves with large bat colonies has higher levels of nutrients and those nutrients are further assimilated by plants on river banks. Our study shows that cave bats provide additional ecosystem service, namely providing nutrients to surface aquatic ecosystems.

Presenter: Stanimira Deleva

Caving club: NEPIAST, Burgas, Bulgaria

Type:  oral presentation

Section: Cave Biology / Bio speleology

Short bio of the presenter: Stanimira Deleva is a biologist, cave explorer, and conservationist, currently pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Costa Rica.

 

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